on the scene
from March 2008

On Tuesday the 27th November The Oracle in Leeds was besieged by 17 gorgeous and glamorous drag queens for the annual Drag Idol HIV/AIDS fundraiser. The night was filmed by the lovely boys at Celebration Films and after months of painstaking editing and post-production special effects that even George Lucas would be proud of, the DVD of the event has just gone on sale.

It kicks off with the fabulous Miss Blanche, hostess for the night, introducing the judges: Danny Cher Bailey, Daisy Du Pont and Anna Glypta. Last year’s winner, Miss Karma Blythe, performed Don’t tell mamma and the night’s entertainment was off and running! The first contestant, Lucy Lastic had flown in all the way from Grimsby and honestly didn’t smell of fish at all! Her number was Drama Queen, last year’s Eurovision entry for Norway but it was far from ‘Nil points’ for this lovely lady.

Next up was Religion’s very own Fanny Gush. Her interpretation of Maneater - complete with gingerbread men - seemed to go down well as did contestant number three, Theresa Crowd who performed Rhianna’s Umbrella, with a surprise golden shower!

The fourth entrant was Dame Belinda de Bell End. Well, what can I say? Those of you who know the Leeds scene will know that, when not in a frock and heels, Dame BdBE is actually one of the butchest door-men around and can be found most weekends on the door of The Bridge.

The first half closed with The Viaduct’s Bubbles and her portrayal of Amy Winehouses’ Valerie. After a half time interval in which Miss Blanche upstaged everyone by changing into a rather fetching black lace number it was on with the show.

Last year Susan Platt got a hammering from the judges for her rendition of Kylie’s Better the Devil You Know so it was a brave move to repeat the number this year. Her look was better, as was her lip-synch, but still one or two of the judges were pretty mean to her. Next up was the now renamed Stella Artois (now known as Miss Carla Jackson, Homo’s new door-whore!) and her routine to Jennifer Hudson’s I love you I do from DreamGirls was a hit with the judges and the crowd.

Perhaps Tina Sedushka’s version of Dancing from last year’s Eurovision was a little left-field for some of the crowd but the judges loved it, and one, especially, can be seen dancing along in the background!

Connie Cous Cous was the penultimate contestant this year with Good Morning Baltimore from Hairspray. Either this was such an outstanding act or the judges had been on the free backstage wine but this was the only act to achieve a perfect score.

The last act was Manchester’s The Lilletes, a duo who performed a medley from Priscilla, Queen of the Desert complete with costume changes and ping pong balls!

Whilst the votes were tallied and verified by an independent adjudicator The International Miss Sam Buca (who had just flown back from her bookings in Turkey) performed her Shirley Bassey routine.

And then it was time for the all-important results... which you can find out if you buy the DVD! It’s on sale now in CloneZone, Leeds and in selected scene venues priced at £12-99 with £5.49 of that going to support the four Drag Idol charities: Daybreak, Skyline Services, THT - Leeds and Yorkshire MESMAC. The DVD has been put together very professionally and I’m sure, if you asked nicely enough, the various contestants and judges will sign your copy for you! If they’re not too busy jetting off around the world, drunk on fame, glory and cheap sparkling wine....

Big Queer C**t

Photo: Chris James www.chrisjamesayre.com